Taj Gibson fined for abusing ref in Bulls-Heat Game 2

May 10, 2013
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Chicago Bulls' Taj Gibson, right, is restrained by a member of the coaching staff after being ejected during the second half of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Miami Heat Wednesday. / Lynne Sladky AP

by Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY Sports

by Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY Sports

CHICAGO - The NBA on Friday fined Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson $25,000 for verbal abuse of an official, stemming from his ejection in Game 2 against the Miami Heat on Wednesday.

With 10:13 remaining in the fourth quarter and the Bulls trailing 94-56, Bulls center Joakim Noah was ejected for his second technical foul, and Gibson protested, drawing two quick technical fouls and an ejection. After his ejected he continued to yell at an official.

"No comment," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said about 90 minutes before tip-off of Friday's Game 3.

Noah was not fined, nor was Heat point guard Mario Chalmers, whose hard foul on Noah in the third quarter was upgraded to flagrant foul one. Chalmers also received a technical foul on the play.

It was a physical game, but neither coach thought the play went over the line. Still, referees called 51 fouls and nine technical fouls in Game 2.

For Game 3 on Friday (8 p.m. ET, ESPN), veteran referees Joey Crawford, David Guthrie and Derrick Stafford will officiate. Crawford is likely to make sure the game doesn't get out of control. In the last game he officiated â?? Memphis' 118-105 victory against the Los Angeles Clippers â?? Crawford's crew called seven technical fouls and the Grizzlies shot 47 free throws.

Thibodeau re-iterated the same message he had after Game 2 about his team's lack of composure.

"There were several drives in which we thought we had gotten hit and didn't get a call," Thibodeau said. "Sometimes, you're not going to get a call. That's just the way it is. We can't complain to the officials. We've got to get back and get set. We can't allow frustration to impact the next play. We have to play for 48 minutes. You have to play each possession. Just concentrate on each possession and give maximum effort.

"Know your job, do your job."

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra isn't concerned about the officiating.

"Who cares?" Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said at Friday morning's shootaround. "It has no impact on the game.

Later in day, about 105 minutes before tip-off, Spoelstra said, "We're not giving any thought to the officiating. They're not going to help us or hurt us in what we're trying to do. We're focusing on playing our identity and being able to do that on the road in a tough environment against a competitive team, and to be able to do it with all the emotions of ups and downs that we can expect on the road. That's our focus, not the things we can't control."